Workshops by Farm Girl Felts took off after a friend asked owner Paige Davis to lead a project for her book club. Now Davis holds four classes a month in Maryland and Delaware. (Photo by Paige Davis)
Spring often feels like a fresh start and a time to try something new, as well as a time to break out of hibernation.
With many local artisans hosting workshops and classes at social spaces, there is surely an interesting one happening near you that can check both things off your spring list.
Whether you choose to go by yourself or reunite with a group of friends, it is sure to be a fulfilling time.
Exploring a skill with a workshop or class offers a low commitment, non-intimidating way to try something new without investing in the supplies or equipment to do so.
It’s also a great way to have someone walk you through so you can skip beginner mistakes.
The interaction of fellow students working through the same first steps can also be a great bonding social experience.
One of the newest workshop offerings in the Mid-Shore is Farm Girl Felts.
Owner Paige Davis teaches participants the uncommon craft of “sculpting wool,” and they leave class with a cute little animal.
Her classes are held on the Eastern Shore and into Delaware, and featured projects vary from flamingos to frogs to bees to Highland cows where the whole class will work through creating the same piece.
Davis’ business kicked off when she was asked by a friend to lead a project for her book club.
After teaching the small group of ladies, Davis says, “I left that night knowing that’s what I was supposed to be doing. The smiles on their faces being so tickled with what they had made was so rewarding. My favorite part was seeing how adorable each project comes out unique in their own way.”
From there, she decided to do 4 classes a month on the side of her farmwork — hence “Farm Girl Felts” — but she was quickly finding the demand was there for her now 20 classes a month.
She finds that she gets all kinds of groups– family, friends, and even a few husbands in the mix.
With the big variation in projects and each animal as cute as the next, she is finding that she has quite a few repeat customers that have taken interest in the craft.
“The positive words from my customers have been really appreciated being a newly launched and local business,” Davis says. “I love how many repeat customers I have that keep coming to several different workshops to do the different projects. The support from people I have just met is amazing.”
And there lies yet another perk of attending a workshop with an artisan – the instructor is probably enjoying it as much as you are.
What else is out there to try? It seems like just about everything!
Want to create something for your wall but have already done your share of paint nights?
Try your creativity at a mosaic workshop with Jen Wagner Mosaics. Be on the lookout for one of her small project pop-up workshops, either at her Easton studio or out on the town, the most recent at Foxy’s in St. Michaels.
If you find that you really love it and might want to try a more advanced class or larger project, she offers those as well.
Another popular skills-based class is cookie decorating. Sprinkle It Sweet frequently hosts classes at Ten Eyck Brewing Company or Triple Creek Winery or with Clough’D 9 Cookies & Sweets, whose classes often pop up at the Queen Anne -Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department and other spots. For these classes, participants make a handful of cute-themed cookies, but also learn the skills needed to create gorgeous cookies at home.
If you’ve always been curious about how to make a great bouquet at home, try a fun floral night. Vintage Family Farms of Preston will be hosting floral arranging with their fresh off the farm tulips at Johnny’s Tavern in East New Market (Keep an eye out for yoga in their gardens too). Toward the other direction on the shore, Wildly Native Flower Farm of Chestertown has floral craft nights where you can choose a wreath, suncatcher, boho wall hanging, ring dish, and more to create while enjoying light snacks and wine.
If you are not looking to learn any skill in particular, but just get your creative juices flowing, there are local businesses that host all kinds of hands-on activities.
L & M Design Studio in Stevensville is a frequent flyer in social spaces like El Jefe’s Mexican Kitchen and host a variety of projects, from windchimes to wooden trays. In Easton, Coastal Creations and Classes features fun projects such as pressed florals or decoupaging oyster shells either in their studio or out on the town.
The Acorn Market Farm in Mardela Springs also has a variety that include decoupage oysters, as well as other fun like the recent sugar string Easter baskets.
Aside from local businesses, you can also look to educational organizations for enrichment.
Caroline County Council of Arts also offers a variety of one day workshops and class series using all types of arts and mediums.
Your college days don’t have to be over if you are looking to try cooking a new specialty, hone in on creative writing or learn a gardening style you haven’t yet tried. Chesapeake College has a long list of personal enrichment classes for those looking to learn.
The best way to find the fun is to follow creative people like this on social media to see their upcoming events near you.
On the Eastern Shore, the world is your oyster for trying something new, and having fun doing it.
